An indispensable companion for teachers who want to give their absolute best in the classroom at all times and under all circumstances.

In this thoughtful guide for novice and veteran educators alike, Baruti K. Kafele takes readers on a reflective journey designed to reignite their passion for teaching. Kafele’s 50 questions and penetrating insights reveal how you can - Inspire students of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds to strive for academic excellence; - Develop strong relationships with students, their parents, and the greater community; - Address the challenges and promises presented by millennial learners; and - Boost your motivation and excitement about teaching despite entrenched obstacles and daily frustrations. Replete with ideas for strengthening your practice and investing in student success, this book is an indispensable companion for teachers who want to give their absolute best in the classroom at all times and under all circumstances. Baruti K. Kafele is a highly regarded teacher, administrator, and speaker and is the author of several books, including The Principal 50: Critical Leadership Questions for Inspiring Schoolwide Excellence.

Inspired by the "good old, bad old" science fiction movies that turn up on TV each October, Lisa Passen has created a hilarious tale that proves even the meanest teacher might just have a heart of gold. It was Halloween. And it was a school day. The children were eager for school to be over. Everyone was excited about going trick or treating. Everyone except Miss Irma Birmbaum, the toughest teacher in town. She's so mean that she assigns homework on Halloween! That very night, however, after she receives a surprise visit from an alien spacecraft, Miss Irma Birmbaum is mysteriously transformed into ... The Fifty-Foot Teacher. As if things weren't bad enough for Miss Birmbaum's class! Can anything save Halloween for these kids, or will their giant teacher spoil the fun? "A Halloween tale for children with a quirky sense of humor." - Booklist

Veteran educator and best-selling author Baruti Kafele offers strategies for motivating students from diverse backgrounds to become passionate about learning.

You're an Assistant Principal. Whatever your status—the sole AP in your school, one of two or more APs in your school, a career AP, an AP aspiring to the principalship—yours is one of the most misunderstood and underutilized positions in education. Positioned between teachers and the principal, you are an instructional leader. However, you are not the leader of the school. Therefore, you must carefully navigate your way to ensure that you thrive in your role without "stepping on the toes" of your principal. In The Assistant Principal 50, award-winning, four-time principal Baruti Kafele presents reflective questions that encompass the breadth and depth of the assistant principalship—from finding your leadership "lane" to thriving and being an asset to your principal. Kafele infuses the book (which also includes guidance and insights for principals and aspiring assistant principals) from beginning to end with personal anecdotes and accounts of both failures and successes from his years as an assistant principal. He arms you with tools and insights that will drive you to view the assistant principalship as critical to the climate and culture of your school as well as to student achievement. You, assistant principal, play a critical role in your school's success. The questions that Kafele asks you to consider will aid you as you hone your leadership skills toward becoming an effective leader in your school.

Whether you’re just starting out, a mid-career teacher, or a seasoned veteran of the classroom, you can find ways to make your teaching more effective and require less effort. 50 Ways to Be a Better Teacher offers humanistic advice to nurture the teacher’s soul while improving your professional performance. The examples are drawn from the author’s experience teaching English as a Second Language, but the advice is applicable to anyone in the classroom.

So, you want to be a principal? Are you a new principal who could benefit from the wisdom of a successful four-time principal? Could you use help preparing for a school administrator job interview? Then this is the book for you. In The Aspiring Principal 50, school leadership expert Baruti Kafele presents reflective questions aimed at assisting both new and aspiring school leaders as they work to become effective school leaders and consider making a leap to a leadership position, respectively. This book will help aspiring principals determine whether "The Principal" is truly who they want to be and help new principals grow and thrive in the principalship. Additionally, the book contains an entire chapter devoted to preparing for the school administrator job interview. Kafele infuses the book from beginning to end with succinct advice on everything from remaining focused on the principal's number one priority—student achievement—to addressing maintenance concerns, managing budget allocations, and ensuring that the school's website puts the school in the best possible light. With The Aspiring Principal 50, you can increase the likelihood that your tenure as principal will be a successful, beneficial, and healthful one.